This document applies in particular to Arch Linux on a Toshiba Satellite L300-OG1. It also applies to the entire L300 series on any modern Linux distribution (which uses at least kernel 2.6.36), and dependent upon what BIOS your system has.

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This document applies to Arch Linux 2009-08 on a Toshiba Satellite L300-OG1. In general it may also apply to rest of L300 series, dependant mostly on what BIOS your system has. The L300-OG1 contains the Inside H2O BIOS, version ???

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Feel free to contact me if any problems or suggestions (lagagnon at gmail.com) (English or Spanish).

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If your laptop has a BIOS version older than v2.20 you probably <b>will</b> have fan control problems and the "Fn" key and PC speaker probably will not work. See below for a method to upgrade your BIOS.

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Contact the author of this wiki with any problems or suggestions (lagagnon at gmail.com) (English or Spanish).

The Fn key and fan control after suspend/hibernate <i>if</i> your BIOS version is less than version 2.20. If you update your BIOS you will not have these problems.

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==What Does Not Work?==

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==Not Tested==

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Special hardware function keys (particularly the Fn key itself), fan control after suspend/hibernate

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PCMCIA, Modem.

==Configurations==

==Configurations==

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'''Video:''' Here is the video info.

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'''Video:''' Follow the [[Intel]] wiki entry for Intel video. Edit your /boot/grub/menu.lst kernel boot line. See below. If these suggested changes to /boot/grub/menu.lst and /etc/X11/xorg.conf are not made you may not be able to resume from suspend, will get flickering video on shutdown and other minor video faults, but your screen will generally work OK. Here is a suggested /etc/X11/xorg.conf file for reference:

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<code><pre>

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Section "ServerLayout"

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Identifier "X.org Configured"

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Screen 0 "Screen0" 0 0

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InputDevice "Mouse0" "CorePointer"

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InputDevice "Keyboard0" "CoreKeyboard"

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EndSection

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Section "Files"

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ModulePath "/usr/lib/xorg/modules"

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FontPath "/usr/share/fonts/misc"

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FontPath "/usr/share/fonts/100dpi:unscaled"

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FontPath "/usr/share/fonts/75dpi:unscaled"

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FontPath "/usr/share/fonts/TTF"

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FontPath "/usr/share/fonts/Type1"

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EndSection

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Section "Module"

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Load "glx"

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Load "dri2"

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Load "dri"

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Load "extmod"

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Load "dbe"

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EndSection

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Section "InputDevice"

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Identifier "Keyboard0"

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Driver "kbd"

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EndSection

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Section "InputDevice"

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Identifier "Mouse0"

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Driver "mouse"

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Option "Protocol" "auto"

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Option "Device" "/dev/input/mice"

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Option "ZAxisMapping" "4 5 6 7"

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EndSection

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Section "Monitor"

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Identifier "Monitor0"

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VendorName "Monitor Vendor"

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ModelName "Monitor Model"

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EndSection

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Section "Device"

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Option "DRI" "True"

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Option "NoDDC" "True"

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#Option "XAANoOffscreenPixmaps" "True"

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Option "EnablePageFlip" "True"

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Option "RenderAccel" "True"

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Option "AccelMethod" "UXA"

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Option "Tiling" "False"

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Identifier "Card0"

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Driver "intel"

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VendorName "Intel Corporation"

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BoardName "Mobile 4 Series Chipset Integrated Graphics Controller"

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BusID "PCI:0:2:0"

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EndSection

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Section "Extensions"

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Option "Composite" "Enable"

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EndSection

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Section "Screen"

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Identifier "Screen0"

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Device "Card0"

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Monitor "Monitor0"

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SubSection "Display"

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Viewport 0 0

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Depth 1

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EndSubSection

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SubSection "Display"

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Viewport 0 0

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Depth 4

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EndSubSection

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SubSection "Display"

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Viewport 0 0

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Depth 8

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EndSubSection

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SubSection "Display"

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Viewport 0 0

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Depth 15

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EndSubSection

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SubSection "Display"

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Viewport 0 0

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Depth 16

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EndSubSection

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SubSection "Display"

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Viewport 0 0

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Depth 24

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EndSubSection

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EndSection

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</pre></code>

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{{Warning|[https://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/GRUB2 GRUB2] The fan will work properly assigning the parameter: {{Note|1=GRUB_CMDLINE_LINUX_DEFAULT="quiet splash acpi_osi=Linux"}} in {{ic|/etc/default/grub}}.}}

The important kernel parameters above are: <i>acpi_osi="Linux"</i> (fan will not function correctly without), <i>resume=/dev/sda3</i> (this is the swap partition, without which hibernate will not work) and <i>i915.modeset=1</i>, necessary for KMS video on the Intel graphics chip.

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<b>Suspend/Hibernate:</b> The "pm-suspend" and "pm-hibernate" scripts from the pm-utils package work <i>but</i> ACPI fan control after any suspend or hibernate will only function properly with BIOS version 2.20 or higher.

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<b>Function Keys:</b> To get the "Fn" key to work one may need to upgrade your BIOS (see below). With a working Fn key the Num Lock key will function. However, you will still have to bind the hardware function key combinations to specific Linux facilities depending on what desktop environment you use. For instance "Fn+F4" is the "hibernate" facility. You have to bind the hibernate script that you specifically use to that key combo. The same goes for screen brightness, suspend, etc. This is not done automatically in Linux. The old "toshiba_acpi" and "fnfx" modules do not work with the InsydeH2O BIOS, they only work with Toshiba-written BIOSes.

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For information on how to bind keycodes (e.g. Fn+F4) read [[Extra Keyboard Keys]]. E.G.: bind these following key combinations to their keycodes and then to the following scripts:

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<ul>

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<li>Fn+F1 - xscreensaver-command -lock

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<li>Fn+F2 - sleep 1 && xset dpms force off

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<li>Fn+F3 - sudo pm-suspend

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<li>Fn+F4 - sudo pm-hibernate

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<li>Fn+F6 - xbacklight -dec 80

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<li>Fn+F7 - xbacklight -inc 80

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<li>Fn+F9 - (see the "Software Toggle" here): [[Touchpad Synaptics]]

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</ul>

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<b>Audio:</b> Should just work, but ensure by using "alsamixer", that the "Front" mixer is set to max, or near max. By default it may be set at zero. Read [https://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/Advanced_Linux_Sound_Architecture#Restore_ALSA_Mixer_settings_at_startup restoring alsa settings] to find out how to store alsamixer settings between reboots.

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<b>Bluetooth:</b> This laptop does not have in-built Bluetooth, but works just great with any bluetooth dongle via USB if you follow these [[Bluetooth]] instructions.

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==Upgrading your BIOS==

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'''boot/grub/menu.lst:''' Here is the grub info.

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It seems that most of the L300 and L305 series laptops come with the InsydeH2O BIOS version 1.50. This BIOS is faulty with Linux and results in a dead Fn key and an improperly controlled fan. It is vital to get the fan working properly especially if you wish to use suspend and/or hibernate. The dead Fn key problem however is not a show stopper. The upgraded BIOS will also mean the PC speaker will start working! Toshiba Canada has the latest BIOS version (v2.2 at January 2011) here: http://support.toshiba.ca/support/Download/ln_byModel.asp . Ensure you get the correct file for your specific model. This file is a Windows-only executable - it does not contain anything usable under DOS. Nor can this BIOS be flashed using the Linux "flashrom" application. There are only two ways to flash the ROM with that file:

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<ol>

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<li>Run the file as an executable under a Microsoft Windows environment that you are dual booting with Linux, or, </li>

As the first method is straightforward it will not be discussed here. Below is the alternate method outlined for Linux users (<b>Note</b>: you do this at your own risk - if done improperly you may permanently "brick" your laptop):

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<ol>

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<li>the .exe file is a 7z compressed file. Use the command "7z e filename.exe" to extract. You may have to install a 7z package first.</li>

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<li>the only important file in the extract is the .fd file. Rename that file to "BIOS.fd"</li>

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<li>copy the BIOS.fd file onto the root directory of a USB flash drive

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<li>remove any inserted CD, the power cord, the battery, and the hard drive from your laptop</li>

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<li>insert the USB flash drive into a USB port on your laptop</li>

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<li>simultaneously hold down the "Fn" and "F" keys</li>

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<li>plug in the power cord to the laptop while still holding Fn+F

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<li>press Power On button of laptop while still holding Fn+F

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<li>USB flash drive light should start to flash. You may now release the Fn+F keys after a few seconds

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<li>leave laptop for about 1 minute. The ROM is being flashed. Your laptop will eventually turn itself off and it may reboot.

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<li>you may turn off laptop now if it has rebooted successfully. If it just turned itself off then continue...

<li> reboot laptop and enter the BIOS setup using "F2". You should see that it has successfully upgraded your BIOS.

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</ol>

Revision as of 10:58, 18 August 2012

This document applies in particular to Arch Linux on a Toshiba Satellite L300-OG1. It also applies to the entire L300 series on any modern Linux distribution (which uses at least kernel 2.6.36), and dependent upon what BIOS your system has.

If your laptop has a BIOS version older than v2.20 you probably will have fan control problems and the "Fn" key and PC speaker probably will not work. See below for a method to upgrade your BIOS.

Contact the author of this wiki with any problems or suggestions (lagagnon at gmail.com) (English or Spanish).

What Works With Minimal Configuration?

What Does Not Work?

The Fn key and fan control after suspend/hibernate if your BIOS version is less than version 2.20. If you update your BIOS you will not have these problems.

Not Tested

PCMCIA, Modem.

Configurations

Video: Follow the Intel wiki entry for Intel video. Edit your /boot/grub/menu.lst kernel boot line. See below. If these suggested changes to /boot/grub/menu.lst and /etc/X11/xorg.conf are not made you may not be able to resume from suspend, will get flickering video on shutdown and other minor video faults, but your screen will generally work OK. Here is a suggested /etc/X11/xorg.conf file for reference:

The important kernel parameters above are: acpi_osi="Linux" (fan will not function correctly without), resume=/dev/sda3 (this is the swap partition, without which hibernate will not work) and i915.modeset=1, necessary for KMS video on the Intel graphics chip.

Suspend/Hibernate: The "pm-suspend" and "pm-hibernate" scripts from the pm-utils package work but ACPI fan control after any suspend or hibernate will only function properly with BIOS version 2.20 or higher.

Function Keys: To get the "Fn" key to work one may need to upgrade your BIOS (see below). With a working Fn key the Num Lock key will function. However, you will still have to bind the hardware function key combinations to specific Linux facilities depending on what desktop environment you use. For instance "Fn+F4" is the "hibernate" facility. You have to bind the hibernate script that you specifically use to that key combo. The same goes for screen brightness, suspend, etc. This is not done automatically in Linux. The old "toshiba_acpi" and "fnfx" modules do not work with the InsydeH2O BIOS, they only work with Toshiba-written BIOSes.

For information on how to bind keycodes (e.g. Fn+F4) read Extra Keyboard Keys. E.G.: bind these following key combinations to their keycodes and then to the following scripts:

Audio: Should just work, but ensure by using "alsamixer", that the "Front" mixer is set to max, or near max. By default it may be set at zero. Read restoring alsa settings to find out how to store alsamixer settings between reboots.

Bluetooth: This laptop does not have in-built Bluetooth, but works just great with any bluetooth dongle via USB if you follow these Bluetooth instructions.

Upgrading your BIOS

It seems that most of the L300 and L305 series laptops come with the InsydeH2O BIOS version 1.50. This BIOS is faulty with Linux and results in a dead Fn key and an improperly controlled fan. It is vital to get the fan working properly especially if you wish to use suspend and/or hibernate. The dead Fn key problem however is not a show stopper. The upgraded BIOS will also mean the PC speaker will start working! Toshiba Canada has the latest BIOS version (v2.2 at January 2011) here: http://support.toshiba.ca/support/Download/ln_byModel.asp . Ensure you get the correct file for your specific model. This file is a Windows-only executable - it does not contain anything usable under DOS. Nor can this BIOS be flashed using the Linux "flashrom" application. There are only two ways to flash the ROM with that file:

Run the file as an executable under a Microsoft Windows environment that you are dual booting with Linux, or,

Use the undocumented "brick" repair method (below) proposed by Toshiba

As the first method is straightforward it will not be discussed here. Below is the alternate method outlined for Linux users (Note: you do this at your own risk - if done improperly you may permanently "brick" your laptop):

the .exe file is a 7z compressed file. Use the command "7z e filename.exe" to extract. You may have to install a 7z package first.

the only important file in the extract is the .fd file. Rename that file to "BIOS.fd"

copy the BIOS.fd file onto the root directory of a USB flash drive

remove any inserted CD, the power cord, the battery, and the hard drive from your laptop

insert the USB flash drive into a USB port on your laptop

simultaneously hold down the "Fn" and "F" keys

plug in the power cord to the laptop while still holding Fn+F

press Power On button of laptop while still holding Fn+F

USB flash drive light should start to flash. You may now release the Fn+F keys after a few seconds

leave laptop for about 1 minute. The ROM is being flashed. Your laptop will eventually turn itself off and it may reboot.

you may turn off laptop now if it has rebooted successfully. If it just turned itself off then continue...